Insights emerging from the Finnish Regional Cluster

Finland is characterised by extensive land-use systems, with forestry, agriculture and aquaculture playing a central role in regional nutrient dynamics. Compared to other regions, nutrient pressures are more dispersed, but closely linked to water bodies, climate conditions and land-use practices. In this context, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) management is strongly connected to water protection, ecosystem functioning and long-term resource efficiency.

The workshops organised within the Finnish Regional Cluster focused on the sectors most relevant for nutrient flows in Nordic contexts, including agriculture, forestry, aquaculture, water and waste management, industry, and energy. Participants included representatives from the primary sector, research organisations, public authorities, sectoral organisations and environmental agencies, reflecting the institutional and territorial profile of the region.

Discussions across the workshops highlighted several Finland-specific insights:

Water protection emerged as a central driver for nutrient management decisions, with phosphorus (P) identified as a key concern in relation to eutrophication risks.
Strong interest in preventive and efficiency-oriented practices, focusing on optimising nutrient use rather than end-of-pipe recovery solutions.
The need to better integrate land-use planning, agricultural practices and water management to support nutrient balancing at regional scale.
The relevance of data availability and monitoring systems to support informed decision-making and long-term nutrient management strategies.

The activities brought together a broad and diverse group of regional actors, including farmers, foresters, aquaculture operators, researchers, public authorities, sectoral organisations and environmental agencies. Around 70 participants took part in the workshops, and 24 stakeholders formally joined the Cluster, confirming their interest in continued involvement in the next phases of the project.

Together, these outcomes highlight the role of the Finnish Regional Cluster in advancing approaches to nutrient management that prioritise efficiency, water protection and territorial coherence in environmentally sensitive contexts.